Art With A Pencil

Patterns,Lines,Doodles

2009-11-04T06:15:00.004Z

Hi all,

No animal art to show today, instead something of an Abstract piece done in my sketch book. I have got to say doing work like this is a real passion for me and a creative release, I just love the idea of combining patterns, shapes, doodles, and curves to create funky abstract art. I use mostly black pigment pen and to add colour it will be CPs, Ink or Coloured gel pens, perhaps even watercolour. It is all still a bit experimental, but like the mandalas there is not too much pre planning that comes into it I just do what feels right. My plan is too fill my sketch book up with this type of art, as I think it will be fascinating to look back over it all in time, and who knows when I kick the bucket someone might find it interesting.

On a completely different track, I have for sometime now, been having some problems with my digestive system and have for the past few weeks had to make some changes to my meds,which in turn has played havoc with my arthritis. I went to the doctors yesterday for another review and am now having another change in meds, and worse still a change in diet. Now I am a gal who loves her food, and although I am not too overweight,(size16)I do tend to be a bit of a muncher as well, but I have got to calm that down and to my horror stop eating Curries ! In fact not just curry,tomato's,mayonnaise,acidic fruit,vinegar,chinese,garlic....anything spicy and acidic etc...instead it has to be plain old boring food. My appetite has dropped off since this started, I reckon it will end being nil having to stick to this diet, but thank god it is only for a month! On a more serious note, I want it sorted,because it does cause me some pain and is uncomfortable and if there is no improvement then it will be the tube down the throat.......oh joy !

Pups Done

2009-10-30T18:40:00.003Z

Hi all,

As you can see I have now finished the first two drawings for my puppy series. I am still not entirely happy with the basket ones, but feel it is time now to leave it alone, as for the other, I like this one alot. I was not aiming for too much realism in this, it was more about creating a Xmas feel with a bit of cute factor thrown in for good measure, and I think there will be one or two others in the same vein.

Xmas Pups update

2009-10-27T06:09:00.004Z

Hi all,

This is where I am at with my Xmas pup image so far, and it is coming along really well. This will be added into my series of puppy pics that I am doing, and would of been the second one, but have moved it into Ist due to the basket pups not turning out quite so well. I am really enjoying the idea of adding backgrounds/things into my pictures, as this something I really wanted to do as mentioned in a previous post ......standalone portraits are great if that is want one wants, but it is nice to be able to add in extras, create backgrounds etc. I am still not very good with landscape and perspective but it is something that I am getting to grips with.....as the old adage says"practice makes perfect".

I am finding myself increasingly spread thin when it comes to Internet stuff, and have been thinking that I am going to have do some cutbacks soon. This blog has always been central to me, to be able to share art,tips,info etc, and one that I want to continue with, as is my website as this is a place for my work to be stored, but running three blogs,two websites,and numerous other web things is driving me nuts. I need to make creating my art no 1 priority and cull some of the other things. Sadly if I am honest the AIP has not taken off as expected, I am always behind with the updates on the blog and the shop is very static.....I do hold myself responsible for that, and as I am not sure what to do with it all, I will be putting it on hold for the moment. There are some other personal things that play a part in this too, and need to be taken in consideration and I will update as I go along.

Senior Moments of three weeks.

2009-10-25T11:28:00.004Z

Hi all,

Ok got to own up to having some major senior moments for updating this blog....like three weeks worth ! Time has just flown by and I have been so busy with one thing or another that this got put on the back burner...but I also think subconsciously I needed to extend that blogging break. My pencils/pens have been super busy with some abstract art, mandalas and doggies....I have a cat to do for my niece, and a few other things that I need to keep hush about for the moment. The puppies in the basket as you can see are a disaster, I am so not happy with the this image so that will go in the crap pile, but I have also started a new Xmas type picture and am tying out a new paper for this.....Goldline Cartridge, Fine Grain and so far got to say I quite like it, you can see that on the right.....more on that later.

Thanks to everyone for your recent kind, they are always appreciated and for sticking with me.

Puppies

2009-10-07T07:46:00.004+01:00

Hi all,

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments, it means alot to me and more so as an artist, as we do like to know what other artists/people think about our work.

Okey dokey on to my next subject. I have in the past blogged about working on a series of pictures, and this has resurfaced again. I did start on a series of Big Cats last year, and got as far as completing two only, finding that I was not really happy as to where they were going....by that I mean I felt they needed more than just a head pic. I really like the idea alot of doing a series of pictures, all the same size, interrelated but different, and my subject matter that has got me obsessed at the moment is puppies....lots of them. As you can see in the current picture I have two in a basket (reference photo from a friend), but I have made some changes, by doing a different style of basket/bucket, and by adding in the ribbon. At the moment this is coming along quite well, my only gripe is the back/foreground...this is where I fall down every time, because it is my weakest point. So what do I do, add in something extra or just put in some background colour as in the Jack Russell pup...what do you think...all thoughts welcome ?

Returned

2009-09-30T11:57:00.004+01:00

Hi all,

I am back from my break and although feeling a little tired, am ready to pick up my pencils and start creating. For those of you who follow me, you will understand the reason why I needed to have this time out, and I will be writing about that on my other blog AIP.

I have to say that the last three weeks computer wise have been a nightmare as I have upgraded my puter and at the the same time I did lose a years work and photographs in the process. I always have two hard drives one main one and one that I use to store all my pics/wips and photos, but on taking the second drive out we noticed that one of the pins in the back had broken off, and there was no way that we could get a secure connection, so my stuff is intact but in inaccessible ! On doing a bit further research there is a possibility that we might be able to save it, so that is something that I will let you know about later. Needless to say my puter is up and running and as it was my birthday a few days ago, my hubby did this as my part of that as well as getting me a new snazzy keyboard and mouse, a superb a wide screen TFT, and I finally have my daylight lamp for the winter as well, so me is a very happy bunny indeed. Cant quite believe that next year I will be 50 years old lol !

The picture you see here is of a Border Collie Cross called Brandy, size 12 x 10 inches in CPs on Stonehenge, which is a paper I still love to use, actually it is my most used paper.

I have been thinking about where I want to go with this blog in the near future, I have so many ideas that sometimes I get very sidetracked and lose my way in what I am doing. My strength is Animal Art, and this I want to develop more by not just doing a head shoulders picture but adding in a bit of a background, whether it be another animal,landscape or toys etc. The other concept I want to explore is doing a Montage, having done a couple a few years back I like the idea of these greatly.

Thankyou

2009-09-17T05:54:00.003+01:00

Hi all,

I would really just like to say thank you for all the lovely comments since my last post. When I read through them all, I realised why I love blogging so much.....you "meet" great people, showcase your art, share tools,tips and advice....what more can an artist ask for! I have decided that I will return to this blog, but it wont be until sometime mid Oct, as I really need to take this time out, which by then I hope to be refreshed and rejuvenated with new ideas and art. Sept is never a good month for me, and more so this year as we approach the Ist anniversary of my sisters death....time for my family and memories.

Once again my thanks, and also for sticking around, and will see you on the flip side soon.

Leaving Blogger for a While

2009-09-03T12:29:00.003+01:00

Hi all,
It is with great regret that I will be leaving Blogger for a while. My posting over the last few months has dropped off and I am finding it quite difficult to keep up with making posts which in turns is causing a bit of blog fatigue. There are also some more personal reasons which I don't want to go into, suffice to say that they contributed quite a bit to this decision. I will leave the blog intact for a while, but perhaps if I don't return it will be deleted at some point.
I would like to thank everyone who has followed me, made comments and contributed in some form or other....it has been fun, interesting and a great way to make new friends.
Bon voyage my friends, keep making great art .
Vic

2009-09-01T11:17:00.002+01:00

Hi all,
This is where I am at with this drawing, and it is really beginning to gel now, as I continue to build the layers up. I am hoping to have this done by tomorrow and then on to the next one, which is a Collie cross in colour.

Black German Shepherd

2009-08-30T08:18:00.004+01:00

Hi all,
This is my current WIP a black GSD ,size 12 x 10 inches. She is only a youngster and completely lovely, and we met at one of the local dog shows recently,where she was in awe a bit of all the going ons around her. This is in Graphite again which is an ideal medium for this type of dog being that she is all black all over bar a few hairs on her lower chest. It is taking a little longer than I had expected as I am layering alot to build up the depth of tone, using a H,HB,B,2B and 4B for the very dark bits in Derwent Graphics, which I really love. However I am also using in part a Faber Castell clutch pencil, Gripmatic which is a new experience for me, and so far I quite like it, although I was advised to get a Staedler one as they aare supposed to be better,so methinks a bit more testing is in order.

2009-08-24T18:24:00.003+01:00

Hi all,
This is Diva all finished, and I am pleased with how it has turned out. Find myself drawn to Graphite pencils quite a bit these days, and am enjoying working with this humble medium. I have a few more on my board and most definitely combining it with CPs is something I will develop more.
The weather is still holding good at the moment, and the days seem to fly by....my door is open all the time with Poo and Bluebell going in and out, and a friends dog coming to visit nearly every day for never ending play with Blue...methinks it must be heaven for them, as I put all the toys out in the garden, water bowls and towels to lie on....cant help it they are spoilt but they end up going to bed happy, but knackered.

Dogs,Pencils and Sun

2009-08-18T18:35:00.004+01:00

Hi all,

I hope all of you Uk dwellers are enjoying the constant sunshine we have been having? I know that we have, and this in turn just is still keeping me outside and away from my drawing board and computer! I am trying to be a more disciplined though as you can see from above. This beauty is called Diva a Newfie pup a real sweetie and just perfect for Graphite. I think this is my fourth Newfie now and I never tire of drawing these superb dogs.

The builders have finally gone, and things are getting back to normal,although we still have some decorating to do and the garden is going to be overhauled in the Autumn. I do so want my veggie patch and hopefully will be able to provide us with some home grown veg/salad in the new year.

Mad Weekend

2009-08-12T07:20:00.003+01:00

Hi all,
I have no art to show today, as my time has been taken up with lots of other things. Firstly I was judging a dog show at the weekend which was great fun, again so many different breeds,shapes,sizes and colours. Three Newfies attended, one a pup,a two year and one of about of four years and great to see them all together. Three superb Boxers as well,mum and her two youngsters who wanted to do nothing but play,not just amongst themselves but with their companions who were a gorgeous blonde German Shepherd and a white Staffy,who was particularly laid back and unfazed by all the madness going on around him. A beautiful statuesque Harquelin Dane attended,very striking dog with one front black stocking leg, and he was given Reserve in the show. Best in show was given too a small pup who straight away grabbed my attention as well as the other judge,simply because initially we could not work out what he was. In fact he was a poodle/parsons jack russell terrier cross,all black except for a little white chin,and the oddest textured coat I have ever come across. As a pup he was so well behaved, lovely natured and walked wonderfully on the lead despite his owner using a stick. The weather was fantastic, but it did get a tad hot towards the afternoon and as I was concerned about the dogs overheating we moved the show along at a pace, all in all a great day but boy I was knackered at the end of it!
The other part of time was taken up with taking in a little rescue Jack Russell dog of 9 months old, who we were hoping would be become a member of my pack,but sadly this did not work out. As mentioned in a previous post we were looking for a playmate for Bluebell, as Poo Poo is getting a little too old now for all the madness, and we had been a little concerned as to how she would be when the time came for Poo to cross the Rainbow Bridge. It did not go quite as expected as Bluebell made it quite clear that she did not want him here, which in turn stressed Poo out. Go to be honest I felt awful and sad for little Jasper who was so sweet, and we had to let him go. It has made me realise that another dog is a big no no, least ways whilst Poo is still here,and that maybe Bluebell will be just as happy having us all to ourselves.

I will be sorting out all my photos soon and will put some in my flickr album.

Tree Surgeons and Builders

2009-08-05T18:44:00.004+01:00

Hi all,
Again I find myself way behind with everything due to a week of builders coming in and out to fix my bathroom and the arrival of tree surgeons to remove some very large overhanging trees. We knew the builders would be here today and for the next few but did not know about the TS coming, so it has been a matter of keeping my dogs calm and making drinks for everyone to keep them all hydrated as it has been exceptionally hot....not that I am complaining, the beach beckoned and Bluebell and I took ourselves off for a longish walk. My lovely hubby also bought me a new big desk which can now accommodate my puter gear plus drawing board and all my pencils,with space to spare. It is a corner unit with two very large cupboards either end and a piece that sits back and above the main desk...everything fits beautifully and I am over the moon with it. Hubby also treated me to a new 20" flat screen as the one I had before was fine but a tad small, and I have to own up and say that my eyes are not so good as they once were and I need to use my reading glasses all the time now. These are both early birthday pressies, not a big win on the lottery lol, but as they were purchased via eBay, you have to buy when the time is right and these two were just to good to miss.
As you can see above I have amongst the mayhem managed to complete another drawing, again this one is Graphite but the eyes are done with CPs. I quite like idea of combining the two mediums, especially with cats as getting that glassy look is quite difficult. I have named this one Inquisitive.
I am hoping to start a new WIP soon but not quite sure what to do, but more to the point as the weather has been so good it has been quite difficult to discipline myself to the drawing board lol, so in a roundabout way I am looking forward to the autumnal weather as this is the time I start to overhaul my portfolio and create lots of new works.

Way Behind.

2009-07-29T18:48:00.007+01:00

Hi all.

I have just realised it has been a week, since my last post...just seem to lose track of all time lol. The weekend I went to a dog show and got some more great shots, and as usual my pal Nico showed up with his owner. I have got to say that I have fallen for this dog, but then I have been an owner of a Giant Breed dog in the past ( my beloved Bugsy). They are not for everyone, so if you don't like the drool, hair and alot of hard work, best stick to a small dog. This is him as a young puppy, look at the folds of skin and he is still growing into it lol.

Talking of dogs meant to say that Bluebell is soo much better now, and changed dramatically since her op, far more agreeable, not so nervous around other dogs and will play with them, and can off the lead now and return. It is hard to believe that pyrometra can affect a dogs personality the way it did with Bluebell...just happy that she is ok now.

Have made a new post on the AIP blog, but am still looking for followers, so if you have a blog please think about becoming a follower there.

Cat and Butterflies

2009-07-21T19:06:00.004+01:00

Hi all,

This is my latest piece of work, which started out originally as a small drawing of just the cats head, 8x6 mounted. It has come out quite well and I thought that cropping into the cat would spoil it, so it needed something else added and to be slightly bigger, hence the butterfly. I was not aiming for a real likeness with the butterfly, more of a bit of simple whimsy type sketch. I used CPs for the eyes and the BF, graphite for the rest of the cat, and pastel for a soft background. I am not sure about it totally so will sit on the piece for a day or so and then view with fresh eyes. The size now is 10 x 8 inches mounted.

I am still looking for any artists who would like to contribute to the AIP

but if not then it would be great if you became follower. I am behind with the shop and stuff due to getting things sorted, but that is done now and the shop will be live this week, so we hope you will stop by for a look see.

Award

2009-07-20T07:44:00.015+01:00

Hi all,

I have been given another award by the very talented artist Kari Ann.....thanks so much Kari it is much appreciated as always. The idea of this one, is to post seven things about myself and pass it on to 7 others. Ok 7 things about myself and please forgive me if I have posted these before on a previous award.

1/ I am a Libra, which is the sign of balance, peace and harmony....not always lol.
2/ I am a great believer in what I call Earth Magic, we abuse Mothers Earth natural resources way too much, and sooner or later there will be a price to pay for that.
3/Dog obsessed so much so I am in the middle of looking for my third rescue.
4/ I prefer dogs to humans....dont get me wrong I like alot of humans, but I like and love dogs more.
5/ I am a bit of a loner, my soltitude is important to me, so going off for long walks each day is heaven.
6/ I looooveeeeee Chocolate, any kind and the darker the better.
7/ I lovveeeeeeee Curry......curry is my favorite food I could live off it.
Ok those are my seven things...pretty boring huh !

Right here the 7 I am going to pass it on too.

Martina...another pencil artist.
Jan...a fellow blogger and contributor to the AIP group.
Karen Hull....an Aussie miniature artist.
Cherilynn Wood...another artist pal
Lene...My good epal from Denmark
Simoart....just this guys bright and colourful work
Chrisitine....a superb graphite artist...love her work, and just check out her latest piece amazing.

Well that is me all done, apologies if there is an overlap here, sometimes because we all follow one anothers blog we end getting up the same award twice lol, but hey no worries it is all good and shows the world what a great art community we are .

Dalmation

2009-07-19T19:00:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

Just a quickie to share my finished drawing of the Dalmatian. Really pleased with this one and the size is 8x8 square, slightly unusual size for me, but it works for this drawing.

Dogs,Wind,Rain and Sunshine.

2009-07-19T18:26:00.003+01:00

Hi all,

Today as been a bit on the mad side as I visited a local dog show, where we had a mixture of rain, sunshine and loads of wind, but got to say a fantastic day. It is so strange because I bumped into people that I met at dog shows from last year, and catching up is great fun. This is the case of my Rottie, whom I now know is called Leia. She came to a dog show last year and this is when the photo was taken, I could not resist that lovely bright pink collar and adorable face, and today I bumped into her again. She looks just the same, just as nice and is much loved by her owners, so much so they entered her into the fancy dress class as fairy....she looked super ! I also met up with Niko a very large Neapolitan Mastiff, and is now just coming up for about just over 1 yrs in age. He was big when I saw him last year but he is still growing and turning into a superb handsome dog, very laid back and again much loved by his owner. Sol was there too a Dogue de Bordeaux, who won best rescue a few years back and had his portrait done by yours truly as the prize. There were so many dogs, all shapes,sizes and colours and I just let the camera click away taking as many photos as I could. Some came out great and some came out crap....note to self practice more with the camera ! Bit tired now so off for a glass of wine and put my feet up for a bit of telly lol !

Artists and Authors needed

2009-07-15T06:30:00.002+01:00

Hi all,
I have made a post on the AIP blog looking for artists and or authors to contribute to our BC casue. I know that alot of who visit and become followers on my blog are superb artists of one kind or another, so if you fancy in doing something for a really worthy casue then we would be pleased to have you on board....you can read the post here AIP. If you are interested leave a comment here on this blog or on the AIP, or email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Just another thought I know time is the ever growing enemy of artists but you dont need to invest alot, just what your are able, either by a piece of art or by writing a post.

Sunny Sunday

2009-07-12T17:36:00.005+01:00

Hi all,

Whew for a moment there Blogger decided that it was not going to let me upload my pic, but after 3 attempts it must of had second thoughts ! So my Dalmatian is almost done really pleased with this one, and I seem to be on a Graphite spin at the moment, as I am thinking about another one too...perhaps a wildlife pcture for a change !

Just a qucikie here the Art In Pink has had its first post by yours truly, a few links added to BC sites and to contributuing artist authors, so please take a quick look, bookmark it and come visit often.

Art In Pink

2009-07-09T18:35:00.002+01:00

Hi all,
I have some exciting news to share with you, which although is still in its early stages hopefully will take off. Some of you may remember some time ago that I made a post about the loss of one of my sister's to Breast Cancer. This is a subject that is very close to my heart and I have long wanted to organise something that helps raise awareness about BC and to raise funds for the Cancer Charity. Most of you will also know that I am a member of the Wildlife and Pet Portrait Forum owned by Melanie Phillips and she has kindly set up a board solely for what now is called Art In Pink. The idea behind it is to set up a Zazzle shop and any of the artists who are interested can donate a piece of work to be used in the shop to create products, like cards,postcards,magnets etc. There are some guide lines to follow and all the information can be found by following this link Art In Pink. A blog is in the pipeline, along with a face book group, perhaps a google site and some other things as well. This is very new and still in its embryonic stage, but this week has seen a flurry of activity and me panicking just a tad to get it all organised, so if it does all read a bit manic, please forgive me, it will come together in time.

Dalmation In Graphite

2009-07-09T18:18:00.006+01:00

Hi all,

I would like to thank everyones comments on Bluebell, and I am happy to say that she is doing so much better. We bought her a new toy today and she has been running around having a little play, and it was a joy to watch. Her appetite is still a little off, but that is to be expected, but on the whole she is recovering well. I love to her pieces and she is becoming a real sweet heart, and I cant help but admire her because she was wreck when we first got her, with some major issues, but time, love and trust has worked wonders.

Here is one of my current pieces that I am working on a Dalmation in Graphite, reference photo from the challenges that are held on the Pet Portrait Forum. I really like this pic and have had it on my to do list for a while now, size will be 10 x 8 approx.

Old English Sheepdog

2009-07-07T05:22:00.006+01:00

Hi all,

It has been a manic week with one thing and another, and today is turning out to be no exception. The time is 5.47 am and I have been up for ages already, after being kept awake with Bluebell. She does seem to be acting strangely at the moment and seems to need alot of comfort and reassurance, and as she shares our bed too, the last couple of nights I have been woken up with a dog licking me and cuddling up close into my neck, not like her at all, she usually hunkers down on the end of bed amongst her blankets. We have been a bit concerned so took her to the vet yesterday, to be on the safe side. If you read my previous post you will know that I had her spayed but it turned out she had Pyrometra which is life threatening. We wondered if she might be having a reaction to the antibiotics and the vet told us that some Bedlington Terriers can be prone to a reaction, but she does not have a temperature which is a good sign and despite the lack of appetite, odd behaviour, and a bit of diarrhoea, nice clean healing wound, she checked out ok. The vet did say because of the pyrometra it was the right thing to do and to keep an eye on her over the next few days, but I like to have all my knowledge to hand, so asked her if she could still die from this. It does seem that it is a possibility, because although the uterus/ovaries have been removed, any toxins from these could of leaked out into the body, hence a pyrometra spay being very tricky to perform. I did a search on the net and found some pictures of a infected uterus, and cannot believe the size it gets to, in comparison to a normal one. If Bluebell had been diagnosed first then she would of gone on antibiotics before the op which would of made things a little easier, but in a way I do blame myself because I had knew nothing about this or what causes it, having always had boy dogs in the past, having a female has been an experience to say the least. I will keep you updated and urge anyone with a female dog to use the link on this post to Pyrometra info on Wikipedia.

The Old English Sheep dog drawing was 50th birthday gift to a friend of mine, and she was really pleased with it. I wanted to try and keep it loose with a sketchy feel to it and used some pastels for a bit of the background, I feel it came out quite well. On the drawing board next is a flower drawing, another few dogs, one of which will be a wip once I sort out a few details and a few more aceos...phew I am knackered before the day has begun !

Post cut short

2009-07-03T09:18:00.002+01:00

Hi all,
Just a quickie and apologies to all, my previous post was cut short due to an ongoing conflict between my digital phone, router and tv......looks like we will have to do some new rewiring, to resolve this. It has driven both mad because the problem only started when we changed the living room around a few weeks ago and got a new digital phone, so by a process of elimination it seems to be a mixture of the three. Posts may be a bit intermittent until resolved, but should not be too long.